First Year First Semester – Chapter 8

First Year First Semester – Q of Diamonds (Part 2)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

Today there were no classes, so it was decided that we’d have a girls only gathering.
Camille properly remembered the promise we made on that day, and immediately put it into action. Incidentally, Baka-sama is taking supplementary lessons, so he’s absent.

She brought the Q of Spades, Mei Zakro along, and came to the Diamonds faction’s dorm.
The Garnet Nation’s King Faction and Royal Prince Faction weren’t on as bad terms as in the game, but if we gathered at either the Hearts faction’s dorm or the Spades faction’s dorm, it seems like one of them would find it uncomfortable to stay in.
Because of that we took the middle ground, and hosted the gathering in a garden near the Diamonds dorm’s entrance.

“I-, It’s nice to meet you… My name is Mei Zakro.”

A girl with dark blue hair that hugged her face was trembling as she curtsied.
S-, So cute…
I can acknowledge the cuteness of the one Raiga chose as his fiancée. It’s vexing though…
When I look at this girl, the desire to protect her wells up in me.

“I’m Beatrix Tapas. Let’s get along, Ojousan.”

At my words, Mei’s face turned red, and she faced downwards.

“Y-… Yes. Let’s get along.”

Because she was too nervous, towards the end her voice shrank.

Mmn, this really isn’t Mei, is it? The original Mei Zakro was more of a cool and bold type of character.
I’ve easily reached a conclusion in my mind.

“Well then, now that the three of us are here, let’s start the gathering!”

Miss Camille was making a loud announcement.

“By the way, what are we supposed to do at a girls only gathering?”

Eh-, that’s what you want to announce? I could see a little bit of Baka-sama in Miss Camille who had taken action with all energy and no forethought.

“Hmm. Oneesama… Amongst the girls in the Spades class, there are a lot of talks about love.”

“Well then, let’s go with that.”

What an incredibly thoughtless response.
Is that really all right? I had to swallow back the tsukkomi that reached as far up as my throat.

“Well then, let’s talk begin by talking about the type of men that we like. Huhu, I’m so happy. I’ve wanted to try talking about love with fellow girls at least once in my life!”

Said Mei, who had taken charge at some point.
Whilst continually referring to Camille as Oneesama, she’s sticking quite closely to her.

“Oneesama, what type of men do you like? By the way, my type is one that’s slightly arrogant and overbearing, but is a gentleman who’s very sweet to me.”

Miss Camille has for some reason suddenly grown agitated. Just what’s the matter…? Her eyes are swimming, and her face is red.

“I-I-I-I’d suure like to hear about Beatrix’ type first…”

“My type, huh? …It’s like Mei’s.”

And little wonder, since the person I like is one and the same as hers.

※

“What an interesting conversation you’re havingg.”

While we were still in the middle of our girl’s gathering, it seems that Baka-sama returned from his supplementary lessons.
This garden is close by the entrance to the Diamonds dorm, thus, students who are returning from the school building will unfailing pass by it.
Today, Baka-sama had brought along an unfamiliar blonde student who was standing behind him.

“Waka-sama… and,”

“Royce-sama!”

Miss Camille’s face is shining. It’s almost as though she’s the in-game Camille.

The person that was with Baka-sama was the prince of the neighbouring nation, K of Hearts Royce Garnet.

“No, it is I who is being looked after. I am glad to be getting along with Camille-sama.”

Prince Royce gave me a sweet smile.
As expected of the number one popular romantic interest character. It’s a smile that’s well suited for use on women.

Because of the men’s intrusion, our girl’s gathering is temporarily over.
Miss Camille left her seat with Mei who had become nervous because of Prince Royce’s appearance.
I’d heard rumours about it softening, but it seems that the factional disputes of the Garnet Nation haven’t completely disappeared.

“Waka-sama, what happened to the supplementary lessons?”

“It’s fine to take a bit of a break, right? If it’s my studies, I’m about to have Royce teach me so it’s all good~”

Baka-sama disappeared into the dorm, laughing frivolously all the while. Does he plan on studying in the garden? Certainly, there are tables and chairs as well, but…

“Won’t you stop being so mad? I really did make a promise with Tria to study together today, after all.”

Prince Royce who was still here was following up for Baka-sama. If I’m told that by him, then there’s no way I can condemn Baka-sama any further.

“Ah-, yes.”

Having a friend help him with his studies can already be considered admirable for Baka-sama.
This is if he doesn’t cause trouble for His Highness today, but… things seem fine for now.
But still, I’ve been acutely feeling Prince Royce’s gaze for a while now. Why is he staring at me so hard, I wonder.

“Umm, Your Highness… Is something the matter?”

“You’re Tria’s knight, aren’t you, Beatrix?”

High Highness softly smiled. Mn, it’s the smile of a model prince, isn’t it?
I wonder how many women he’s unconsciously taken captive with this smile of his.
However, Prince Royce is a gentle man, both in appearance and in personality. I like prim and stiff men, so I’m not lured by that smile, and continue the conversation normally.

“I am, but…?”

“Even though you’re a girl. How amazing… You sure are cool.”

“Eh-…”

This is the first time that I’ve been praised by a man for being a knight.

In Topageria, female knights are normally looked on with hostility or contempt or as something bothersome, by men.
The only exception around me is Baka-sama. I don’t know why, but despite being afraid of me, he’s become attached to me. It’s exactly because of this that I felt like serving Baka-sama.
I wonder if praising a female knight is because of a difference in views between Garnet and Topageria.

While I was racking my brains over this, Prince Royce spoke to me again.

“What are your hobbies, Beatrix?”

“Eh-, my… hobbies?”

Being shocked by the sudden question, I obediently answered him.

“My hobbies are… training, perhaps.”

“Anything else?”

“Umm, reading books on war strategy for example… Also I enjoy strolls in the forest, you see.”

“Hmmm, strolls? There’s a forest near the academy, isn’t there?”

“Indeed, I occasionally head there. It doubles as training.”

What’s with this? His Highness is continually asking me questions with a smile, but…?

“I seee, how interesting… If it’s fine with you, would you mind guiding me around the forest? I’ve never been.”

“G-, Guiding, you say? Me?”

“Just go, Bea-chin.”

My lord who had gone to fetch a tool for studying from his dorm room had suddenly appeared behind me.
Damn you, Baka-sama…
Even though the other party is the prince of a nation, what are you going to do if something happens? This isn’t something you say irresponsibly.

“It’s fine. I’ll make sure to bring guards… Is it okay?”

I was going to point out the problems from a security point of view, but my thoughts were anticipated by His Highness and he said that first.
Whilst asking ‘Is it okay?’ or whatever, Prince Royce is giving off an aura that seems to say that he won’t accept anything other than an affirmative.
Even though in the game he was supposed to be a sparkling prince, this feeling of pressure is no joke.
Was he always such a forceful character?

With His Highness having said that much, there’s no way I can decline.

“Y-, Yes… If you are fine with me… then gladly…”

Losing to his pressure, I ended up agreeing to his proposal.

“Thanks!”

His Highness flushed happily, and took my hand.

What is this…?
Why does His Highness, want to go to the forest with me upon our first meeting?
…It can’t be.

I’m not an idiot either, and I’m not so dull that I’ll fail to notice his forceful attitude today.
In my old world, I was a university student, so I’ve had a reasonable amount of experience.
In other words, Prince Royce is interested in me in that meaning of the word. I don’t understand why, though.

But, I wonder why…
Even though I had come to this academy to babysit Baka-sama whilst also hoping that if chance permitted, I’d be able to romance Raiga who appeared in the game…

For a rival character like me to be romanced instead… It’s an impossible development. And moreover, the other party is that Prince Royce.

…Why did the situation turn into this!?

Author’s Note: Royce→Heroine was the original plan, but following the flow of the story, it ended up as Beatrix. Sorry.

You go Royce. Haha, quite a development though… well maybe he always had a inclination towards valiant women. Except instead of “Gave me the courage to appreciate myself” it became “Has a Strong loyal demeanor, the kind that defends no matter how hopeless her master seems”

It’s adorable that Waka and Royce are interested in each others guards. Having camille around Royce seems to have developed a liking to strong females. She made a damn strong first impression by coming out of the sky to save him and he’s stated how much he admires her.

Both her and Camille are going against social norms in their perspective kingdoms by taking the positions they have. They both have the strength and determination to stand up for themselves despite how socity look down on them for it.

I approve of this pairing.

Also I just had to say this. I simply find Royce’s name to funny. He’s a Royal Royce. A damn car joke.

To paraphrase a certain man during his fight with a Dragon God: “She’s so manly it made me fall in love with her (again)”

And I think Royce also knows that Camille is an impossible route too, between having to fight against his friend Achille (who’s far better at mental war tactics) and Camille putting him on a pedestal in her mind, even if he gets her he won’t find happiness after losing a precious friend like that.

Not to mention Camille and her density. No matter the approach, she is unlikely to budge. Fire a salvo of social/political maneuvers, or a salvo of affection, hell, fire an actual salvo at her, she will come out unscathed.

Thanks for the chapter. From the moment the Heroine appeared, I think most of us already dislike her if she Does end up with Royce. But now that Royce change his target to Beatrix, I think most of us will be satisfied since she’s so cool and awesome.

LOL
Since the story changed Royce became more confident/powerful and devious (due to Achille’s influence that himself was aware some chapters ago, thing that wouldn’t have happened in the game due to not meeting him so soon and becoming best friends), his taste became a little different, since before he was a weakling and needed support, now he is more assured and likes strong woman~
And Bea-okasam wished for an slightly arrogant and overbearing guy, but the one that came for her was a gentle that’s surprisingly an overbearing type >D
Thanks for the chapter nii-chama

Translator #2

When not swimming with polar bears or sleeping in an igloo, likes to stare at incomprehensible moon runes believing them to be messages from the ancestors. Until the caribou meat runs out. Was promoted to Deputy? Arbiter by a wandering Sheeprabbit on a hunt one day and brought to a place named after some person called Chan, Onii.

Translator #3

Translator #4

Hey everyone, I'm Kou-san and I translate stuff.
I hopped on board because my social life was dying and I needed something to keep me from descending into darker chuuni pits. Now, back to learning how to run on water...

Translator #8

Hello, Kudarajin de~su! I'm just a student passing by, translating stuff! Started this since there was a series I really liked that I wanted to share with everyone. I'm trying to share the joy I feel when I read web novels with more people around the world! Now that my self-introduction is over, back to my glorious plan to turn everyone in the world into bookworms...

Translator #9

Graphical Editor #1

Graphical Editor #2

It was a dark and stormy night...the little slug, abandoned by all of it's friends, moved onwards. It undertook a hard and unwelcome journey. The ground was slippery cobblestone, all sunny-gleam and glass-sharp marble gluing the jagged edges together to resemble something beautiful. Walking upon the path would have hurt the slug, considering all the jagged pebbles knocked aside to and fro that it had to crawl over, if not for the water that fell from the sky and aided the slug's way to a place of suitable shells. And on the slug continued on this path, a little nervous but a lot determined, until two long shadows coalesced and stood in its way. "Slug! It's a slimy slug!" one crowed mockingly, laughing cruelly along with other shadows in a discordant symphony as they loomed over the slug, dark and threatening. "I'm not a slug!" it said in response, even as it flinched back. "I am a snail, like the rest of the snails. I just have no shell." The shadows did not seem to hear, and they surrounded the slug, holding sticks and tossing it around. "Stop!" the slug cried, but they did not stop. The rain spilled over the slug, until it didn't, and the slug lay helpless on the side of the streets, unmoving. There were many voices, screeching their victory as they walked into the distance, and the slug was bitterly reminded of the insults its siblings had told it. It did not resist as it was kicked harshly by a passing object and thrown into the air, landing on its soft underside so quickly it faded into unconsciousness, prone and helpless to any that wanted to eat it. It sadly thought that, perhaps, its siblings had been right. However, the slug did not die. It came to, after a long, long time, to see a large, patterned rock. "...Hello?" the slug whispered mutely, voice weak and barely audible, not expecting an answer. But surprisingly, the rock moved, revealing a wisened head that craned over to look at the slug. "Hello," it greeted calmly, "What are you? I have not seen any like you before." The slug took a long moment to comprehend its words, and even then, it felt floored. Someone who had not heard of slugs at all? "I...am a snail, who has no shell, seeking a place of suitable shells that will fit me, like the shells in the place of suitable shells near my home that fit my kin." "Is that so?" the other asked. "I cannot understand, for this shell of mine has been mine ever since my birth. I can, however, understand the need for a shell to watch your back and hide you away from the world, if that is why you wish for a shell." "It is," the slug replied. "It must be a joy to you, to have a shell crafted for you for your lifetime." "But I cannot choose another," the other answered, "While you can." It was a long, quiet moment of contemplation before the other spoke again. "Do you think this shell of mine is good?" The slug was startled, but it answered willingly enough. "Yes." "Do you think this shell of mine is strong?" "Yes," the slug answered, this time a lot more slowly, bemused. The other gave a tiny, weak smile. "Do you think this shell of mine is suitable?" The slug did not hesitate. "Yes," it said, and it could not have said anything more profound. "What are you?" the slug finally queried. "I am a turtle." And the turtle smiled wider, kindly. It may have been just a feeling. It may have been just a thought. But the turtle also said these very words: "You are a snail with a shell." And even though the turtle's shell was all lines and edges and angles, and the shells of the snail's brethren were all curls and swirls wrapping itself into rings of promise, the slug was a snail with a shell, and that was all that mattered.